Staraya Russa, first mentioned in 1167, is a town of about 28 thousand people located in Novgorod Oblast in the northwest of European Russia, about 96 km south of Veliky Novgorod.

This is one of the oldest Russian towns with a large number of preserved architectural monuments of different eras. Staraya Russa on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexander Lipilin.

very picturesque provincial town

Tags: Novgorod oblast

The Akhmat Kadyrov Mosque “Heart of Chechnya” located in the center of Grozny, the capital of the Chechen Republic, is one of the largest mosques in Russia and Europe. The construction of the mosque lasted from April 2006 to October 2008.

The mosque stands on the picturesque bank of the Sunzha River, in the middle of a huge park (14 hectares) and is part of the Islamic complex, which, in addition to the mosque, includes the Russian Islamic University named after Kunta-haji Kishiev and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Chechen Republic. Photos by: Alexander Popov.

amazing mosque

Tags: Chechnya Republic · Grozny city

The game of bingo has increased in popularity around the world since it first took off in the US and the UK and, it now has fans in several other countries. A country where it is perhaps surprisingly popular is in Russia, with many land-based venues available through the Bingo Boom brand.

One of the main reasons why the game is so popular is because many other forms of gambling in the country are banned.

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American students study Russian art because they have a fascination with the country and its culture. They are also having fun because it’s something that they like to learn, and they want to soak up with much information. International studies is an excellent and exciting field that they can conquer after college, and their studies about Russia can be a stepping stone.

Learning Russian Art in American colleges in general is something students should pay a little more attention to. Some of the world’s greatest writers, composers, and painters, among others, come from this country and made their unique contribution to the world of art. Thus, learning about their works is as important, as learning about other exceptional works of art that had been made throughout the history.

Russian art in the US

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The Rybachy Peninsula is the northernmost part of continental European Russia located in Murmansk Oblast and washed by the Barents Sea. The coastal waters are rich in fish (herring, cod, capelin, etc.), hence its name meaning “Fishing Peninsula”.

Despite its northern location, it is the warmest place in the entire Russian north. Off the coast of the peninsula, the sea doesn’t freeze all year round thanks to the warm North Cape Current. The Rybachy Peninsula on Google Maps. Photos by: Sergey Korolev.

amazing landscapes

Tags: Murmansk oblast

Moscow Oblast (unofficially – Podmoskovye) is inextricably linked with the capital of Russia, despite its separate administrative status. In terms of population, it surpasses all other subjects of the Russian Federation, second only to Moscow.

This is a region not only with huge economic potential, but also a wonderful place with a rich thousand-year history, attracting travelers from all over Russia and abroad. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

The pseudo-Gothic St. Nicholas Cathedral. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century on the place where the Mozhaisk Kremlin once stood.

attractions of the Moscow region

Tags: churches · Moscow Oblast · Moskovskaya oblast

Russia is an extraordinary place that never fails to completely bewitch those who are fortunate enough to explore it. It is a vast country with endless expanses of nothing at all and cities bursting at the seams with culture and some of the most spectacular architecture in the world.

But it is a bit of an enigma and can be a daunting place to travel to if you aren’t familiar with Russian. English is not widely spoken and written Russian isn’t the easiest to decode. You will definitely want to have your phone with you when you travel to this magnetic, mysterious country.

Getting connected in Russia can be complicated, but it won’t be if you know what your options are and how to get them.

how to use your phone in Russia

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Russian people are resilient, intelligent, beautiful individuals that make for enviable romantic partners. With the advent of new technology and even immigration, people can find themselves dating a Russian person quite easily.

However, it’s important to understand Russians a bit before getting into a relationship with them. Website Spicylocals.com has shared an interesting list of facts about dating in Russia.

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The Shoana church, built in the Byzantine architectural style at the end of the 10th century, is one of the oldest Christian churches in Russia.

It is located on the southeastern spur of the very picturesque Shoana Mountain (1,232 meters) on the left bank of the Kuban River in the central part of the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia in the foothills of the northwestern Caucasus. Shoana Church on Google Maps. Photos by: Fedor Lashkov.

picturesque mountain church

Tags: Cherkessk city · Karachay-Cherkessia Republic

It’s amazing how many gaming variations people can come up with from the humble deck of playing cards. From one-player problem-solving activities to fierce competitive action, card games can take many forms. Some card games transcend borders, while there are other card games that are still mostly played within their country of origin.

In Russia, you’ll find popular card games that fit both categories. The likes of Preferans and Durak might be unfamiliar to those outside of Russia or its neighboring countries, but anyone who wishes to appreciate all aspects of the culture in Russia may want to learn the rules before visiting. Conversely, poker is a game with universal appeal, and one that has fostered great appreciation among Russian players.

Source: Pixabay

popular card games in Russia

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